The Villa explores how events from the past can linger and influence the present. Emily's fascination with the 1974 murder, fueled by the villa's history and the iconic horror novel inspired by it, becomes an obsession that threatens to consume her and her relationship with Chess. The lines between past and present begin to blur as Emily digs deeper, mirroring her own struggles with Chess against the tragic events that unfolded at Villa Rosato.

Emily and Chess's friendship is put under the microscope as past resentments and unspoken truths rise to the surface. The idyllic Italian setting becomes a pressure cooker for their strained relationship, forcing them to confront their individual demons and the unspoken tensions simmering beneath the surface of their friendship. Their shared history at the villa becomes a catalyst for both healing and further fractures.

The novel delves into the intoxicating world of artistic creation, set against the backdrop of a luxurious villa soaked in inspiration and shadowed by dark events. As Emily learns more about the summer of 1974, she uncovers the motivations and desires of the artists who resided there, revealing the fine line between genius and obsession, and the potential for beauty and darkness to intertwine.